Sorry I haven’t written for a while. I have been discouraged about some things and didn’t make the time or effort to write. I have been looking for other things to do. You see, when one aspect of the computer goes bad, the whole thing all of a sudden “doesn’t work”. I don’t like it. I don’t look at it. I don’t touch it. I have been distracted by other jobs, sicknesses and deadlines and just couldn’t keep up with my “blogging friends”.
Sorry, I will try to do better!
I HAVE been keeping up with The Word! Of course, this is the only thing that comforts me when all else goes wrong. I have been doing my daily readings (The Bible in One Year.) I have been making up short lesson outlines for my Praise and Worship group. I am amazed at the Israelites and how quick they were to be distracted and disobey. Could it be that I am the same way? The Lord’s covenant to Israel (or us) is so precious, so strong and powerful…so, why can’t we live in obedience? They were instructed to get rid of ALL the nations in the Promised Land. Everything was to go…but…they didn’t obey. They let the people stay and only one generation later…they were all serving other gods. They mixed with the other nations. They mixed with “the world”. They lost their focus. They disobeyed!
Why is it so easy to mix with the world’s ways? It’s so easy to accept fashion, music, ideas, activities, internet, shopping, games, movies, work, school and friends. It’s so hard to get back on track, get focused, and obey.
“And now _______________ (add your own name), what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good...Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to him…He is your praise; He is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. Deuteronomy 10: 12,13,20,21
Friday, April 4, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Argentina 2
One of the most amazing cultural differences is the Argentine “night life”. The main plaza becomes ALIVE at midnight. Pizzerias and Ice Cream shops are packed with people and the street looks just as crowded or more so than noon time and it’s after 12:00pm! My teens LOVED the adventure, but Edson preferred his little bed. Unfortunately we were staying 20 km. away in the campo. So…the teens got the late night experience, and Edson got dragged around town in a daze.
The restaurants bring tables and chairs out onto the sidewalks and people from church are here and there, also eating pizza, having pop or ice cream and it’s like this HUGE party downtown. There is also other stuff, of course, that makes us look a different direction, but the cultural difference from Paraguay is that downtown Asuncion…NO ONE is out so late at night. Fancy restaurants are opened in the nice section of town, but “night life” in Asuncion is not a “good life”. Oscar and I were wondering if it was because of the strict dictatorship government of 20 years back where it was mandatory to be off the streets by 10:00pm or you could get shot or just “disappear”.
We went to Maria and Pastor Brachica’s house another night. They made us a barbeque. At 9:30 pm she asked me what time it was. I said…9:30. She said, “Oh, it’s still SO early!” The meat was still red and I was ready to crawl in bed, but Argentine’s start eating dinner at 11:00 pm. For the first time, my kids ate Chivo, goat meat. It was very good! By 12:30 pm when she brought the dessert out I was fighting with a sleepy baby and trying not to sleep myself!
The main food we ate for four days was MEAT, MEAT AND MORE MEAT! My kids didn’t even ask for meat the first two days we came back, just soups and salads.
I am thankful for the time we spent visiting, meeting people, seeing old friends, etc. But, I am glad to be home!
Last night we went to bed at 8:30 pm…the Argentine’s would be preparing their afternoon snack at that time!
The restaurants bring tables and chairs out onto the sidewalks and people from church are here and there, also eating pizza, having pop or ice cream and it’s like this HUGE party downtown. There is also other stuff, of course, that makes us look a different direction, but the cultural difference from Paraguay is that downtown Asuncion…NO ONE is out so late at night. Fancy restaurants are opened in the nice section of town, but “night life” in Asuncion is not a “good life”. Oscar and I were wondering if it was because of the strict dictatorship government of 20 years back where it was mandatory to be off the streets by 10:00pm or you could get shot or just “disappear”.
We went to Maria and Pastor Brachica’s house another night. They made us a barbeque. At 9:30 pm she asked me what time it was. I said…9:30. She said, “Oh, it’s still SO early!” The meat was still red and I was ready to crawl in bed, but Argentine’s start eating dinner at 11:00 pm. For the first time, my kids ate Chivo, goat meat. It was very good! By 12:30 pm when she brought the dessert out I was fighting with a sleepy baby and trying not to sleep myself!
The main food we ate for four days was MEAT, MEAT AND MORE MEAT! My kids didn’t even ask for meat the first two days we came back, just soups and salads.
I am thankful for the time we spent visiting, meeting people, seeing old friends, etc. But, I am glad to be home!
Last night we went to bed at 8:30 pm…the Argentine’s would be preparing their afternoon snack at that time!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Argentina
Okay, so we went to Argentina last week. We had a super wonderful time visiting old friends and…guess what…we didn’t get to the wedding, because there were road blocks all the way there! The farmers are blocking roads with trucks and tractors on every major highway to Buenos Aires. Sometimes they let people through, sometimes they don’t. They didn’t let us through! We had to look for an alternative route through some campos and dirt roads. We decided that we didn’t want to deal with this all the way to Entre Rios (another 6 hours south), so we just stayed in Chaco.
They had a youth rally there on the weekend and we were excited to see people we haven’t seen for about 5 years. Some of these people I haven’t seen for 20 years! Lots of my single friends are married with teens just like mine. We were all trying to look younger, but obviously the years have gone by fast!
Brandon and Gaby made friends fast. They love meeting people and can easily find something in common; basketball, soccer, mp3s, DVDs, etc. They can talk about sports heroes…have you seen this?…have you heard that?...They have no problem with food and eat what is served. It’s fun to go places with them.
They had a youth rally there on the weekend and we were excited to see people we haven’t seen for about 5 years. Some of these people I haven’t seen for 20 years! Lots of my single friends are married with teens just like mine. We were all trying to look younger, but obviously the years have gone by fast!
Brandon and Gaby made friends fast. They love meeting people and can easily find something in common; basketball, soccer, mp3s, DVDs, etc. They can talk about sports heroes…have you seen this?…have you heard that?...They have no problem with food and eat what is served. It’s fun to go places with them.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Sick of Yellow Fever!
I think I got sick because of the Yellow Fever vaccination! We decided to go back to the hospital where our kids got vaccinated to ask for a copy of the records (since Gaby and Brandon flippantly tossed away theirs), and I was going to get a vaccination also. Oscar didn’t want to get to the Argentine border and have to turn around because we didn’t have our records of the shot. So, I got the shot. (Edson didn’t.) We got to the border and they didn’t even ask for the records or even ask if we got the shot. Oh well, I got the vaccination anyway.
On Sunday, coming home from Argentina, I had this strange headache, but just blew it off. I'm a mom...you know, I have to be strong. Well, Monday I wasn’t feeling right either, but blamed it on…you know…hormones, lack of sleep, and other stuff. Monday night I was tossing and turning all night and just ached all over. I even remember praying that if God would give me a fever I wouldn’t have to go to school that day. I woke up aching, but no fever; so I went to school anyway.
At school I was feeling depressed, sad, achy, and sore. I didn’t feel like talking to anyone, and I faked an energetic attitude in my classes. I went in, not as bubbly as usual, but I got through the day. People were commenting that my eyes looked so tired. I got home just in time to “melt” on the couch.
Gaby and Oscar immediately came over to comfort me and say… "Mom, we know how it feels. It’s the effects of the vaccination.” Oh…this was terrible!
Oscar had a bible study last night. I took Edson’s crib into my room and just had him playing there while I was dozing in and out...for one and a half hours.
Today I am a little bit better. I have to be. I am a mom! I have to cook and clean and hang out clothes! I have to “get up while it’s still dark and provide food for (my) family.” I need to “watch over the affairs of my household and not eat the bread of idleness.” I need to be “clothed with strength and dignity (so I can)…laugh at the days to come.”
The next couple of days, I will fill you in on our Argentina Trip.
On Sunday, coming home from Argentina, I had this strange headache, but just blew it off. I'm a mom...you know, I have to be strong. Well, Monday I wasn’t feeling right either, but blamed it on…you know…hormones, lack of sleep, and other stuff. Monday night I was tossing and turning all night and just ached all over. I even remember praying that if God would give me a fever I wouldn’t have to go to school that day. I woke up aching, but no fever; so I went to school anyway.
At school I was feeling depressed, sad, achy, and sore. I didn’t feel like talking to anyone, and I faked an energetic attitude in my classes. I went in, not as bubbly as usual, but I got through the day. People were commenting that my eyes looked so tired. I got home just in time to “melt” on the couch.
Gaby and Oscar immediately came over to comfort me and say… "Mom, we know how it feels. It’s the effects of the vaccination.” Oh…this was terrible!
Oscar had a bible study last night. I took Edson’s crib into my room and just had him playing there while I was dozing in and out...for one and a half hours.
Today I am a little bit better. I have to be. I am a mom! I have to cook and clean and hang out clothes! I have to “get up while it’s still dark and provide food for (my) family.” I need to “watch over the affairs of my household and not eat the bread of idleness.” I need to be “clothed with strength and dignity (so I can)…laugh at the days to come.”
The next couple of days, I will fill you in on our Argentina Trip.
Home Activities and News
We're home!
Monday the kids still had off school so I spent the day with them and with my missionary friends.
Tuesday I was at school teaching and came home...SICK! I have a fever, body aches, head aches...and the rest! I felt so sick I couldn't even put the groceries away.
Today, I am doing a bit here and there. I will try to write more soon.
Pray for me!
Monday the kids still had off school so I spent the day with them and with my missionary friends.
Tuesday I was at school teaching and came home...SICK! I have a fever, body aches, head aches...and the rest! I felt so sick I couldn't even put the groceries away.
Today, I am doing a bit here and there. I will try to write more soon.
Pray for me!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Easter Break
This is Easter Break! We had plans! We were going to travel to Argentina, to Entre Rios to be exact. That’s a short 12 hour drive. We were going to leave this morning and break the trip up visiting friends along the way. Well…we are still here. I think we’ll be here tomorrow, too.
The car had problems last Friday and was fixed. There were still problems on Saturday and it was fixed again. On Sunday the same problems saddened us once again. Monday (yesterday) everything was fixed, but the key would turn in the ignition. Well, today it’s back at the Mechanics and we’ll see what the afternoon brings.
My sister-in-law mentioned that if you don’t have the Yellow Fever vaccination, you can’t get into Argentina. Another problem…my kids were vaccinated in the mass-madness of the “epidemic” and they lost their (paper) records. I would have to go back to the Centro de Salud that they got their shots from and get another (paper) record. Edson and I were never vaccinated. Our hospital will only do the vaccinations today and tomorrow from 8-11. I called Edson’s doctor and he said he was just in Argentina three weeks ago, not having been vaccinated and they didn’t even check (if we go through the city Falcon. If we go through Encarnacion, they are checking). Edson could get the vaccination, but it’s not really necessary.
One last set back…the construction at Adonai is in full swing. They wanted to pour cement for the first floor this week. Oscar has been running around with the architect looking for cement. The WHOLE country is low on cement! We wanted to move the grades into the classrooms by the end of the month.
I think our Entre Rios trip is out of the question, now, it's too far away, but we still have time to go to Chaco, Argentina. I’m not upset…not one bit! I would LOVE to relax at home and wake up late!...eat what we want and drink terere! Sometimes just the thought of travelling makes me tired!
The kids have some friends over and we’ve been partying! Maybe this is how we were supposed to spend Easter break…I’m happy!
The car had problems last Friday and was fixed. There were still problems on Saturday and it was fixed again. On Sunday the same problems saddened us once again. Monday (yesterday) everything was fixed, but the key would turn in the ignition. Well, today it’s back at the Mechanics and we’ll see what the afternoon brings.
My sister-in-law mentioned that if you don’t have the Yellow Fever vaccination, you can’t get into Argentina. Another problem…my kids were vaccinated in the mass-madness of the “epidemic” and they lost their (paper) records. I would have to go back to the Centro de Salud that they got their shots from and get another (paper) record. Edson and I were never vaccinated. Our hospital will only do the vaccinations today and tomorrow from 8-11. I called Edson’s doctor and he said he was just in Argentina three weeks ago, not having been vaccinated and they didn’t even check (if we go through the city Falcon. If we go through Encarnacion, they are checking). Edson could get the vaccination, but it’s not really necessary.
One last set back…the construction at Adonai is in full swing. They wanted to pour cement for the first floor this week. Oscar has been running around with the architect looking for cement. The WHOLE country is low on cement! We wanted to move the grades into the classrooms by the end of the month.
I think our Entre Rios trip is out of the question, now, it's too far away, but we still have time to go to Chaco, Argentina. I’m not upset…not one bit! I would LOVE to relax at home and wake up late!...eat what we want and drink terere! Sometimes just the thought of travelling makes me tired!
The kids have some friends over and we’ve been partying! Maybe this is how we were supposed to spend Easter break…I’m happy!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Spring Break – Fall Break!
For the North Americans – it’s Spring Break. For the South Americans – it’s Fall Break. Easter week is always in the fall. That means cooler weather, beautiful - not humid days. When I was a kid, there were ideas or activities that described Easter: Christ’s resurrection, a glorious new hope, salvation, an Easter program at church, sunrise services, breakfast/brunch at church, new flowery dresses, chocolate, coloring Easter eggs…new life, new hopes, winter’s over - spring is here, and CHRIST IS RISEN!
Things are different in Paraguay. Could it be the religious traditions, the culture, the Fall Season? Talk is all about Christ’s death, his suffering, and the cross. There are pilgrimages in different areas of the country. Large crowds of people gather to walk up steep and stony hills with crosses on their backs, crying, mourning and weeping the death of the Savior…representing Christ’s suffering for all humanity. There is a week of fasting from meat, then a final party with meat, chipa and family gatherings.
Yesterday, Sunday, people were all walking with beautifully, braided, decorated palms in their hands. Palm Sunday…the palms are blessed and hung in doorways for a year’s protection from the evil spirits and “Pombero” (a mythical, Guarani, superstitious character).
People would stop at our door, non-stop, looking for cheese to buy. Chipa (cheese bread) for Easter is as famous as Christmas cookies for Christmas. Every household concentrates on making extras to share and give away. Chipa is a MUST for Paraguayans at Easter time.
Most holidays and traditions are celebrated so differently in each culture. I prefer the beautiful hope of Salvation and resurrection to the sadness of Christ’s death and his suffering. I prefer the early morning glory, hope, and life celebrated on Easter Sunday (and every day in my life) to my dark, gloomy, depressive sin that Christ took upon himself. Even though holidays and traditions are celebrated differently all over the world, I am thankful for the biblical truths of hope and freedom from this earthly life.
Happy Easter!
Things are different in Paraguay. Could it be the religious traditions, the culture, the Fall Season? Talk is all about Christ’s death, his suffering, and the cross. There are pilgrimages in different areas of the country. Large crowds of people gather to walk up steep and stony hills with crosses on their backs, crying, mourning and weeping the death of the Savior…representing Christ’s suffering for all humanity. There is a week of fasting from meat, then a final party with meat, chipa and family gatherings.
Yesterday, Sunday, people were all walking with beautifully, braided, decorated palms in their hands. Palm Sunday…the palms are blessed and hung in doorways for a year’s protection from the evil spirits and “Pombero” (a mythical, Guarani, superstitious character).
People would stop at our door, non-stop, looking for cheese to buy. Chipa (cheese bread) for Easter is as famous as Christmas cookies for Christmas. Every household concentrates on making extras to share and give away. Chipa is a MUST for Paraguayans at Easter time.
Most holidays and traditions are celebrated so differently in each culture. I prefer the beautiful hope of Salvation and resurrection to the sadness of Christ’s death and his suffering. I prefer the early morning glory, hope, and life celebrated on Easter Sunday (and every day in my life) to my dark, gloomy, depressive sin that Christ took upon himself. Even though holidays and traditions are celebrated differently all over the world, I am thankful for the biblical truths of hope and freedom from this earthly life.
Happy Easter!
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